Title: Regional modelling for optimal allocation of agricultural crops considering environmental impacts, housing value and leisure preferences

Authors: Nava Haruvy, Sarit Shalhevet

Addresses: Netanya Academic College, 1 University Street, 42365 Netanya, Israel. ' SustainEcon, 126 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Abstract: Regional planning should consider the impact of agricultural crops on housing value and leisure, as well as on the local environment. We designed an optimisation model for allocating agricultural crops based on farmers| profits as well as the impact on these three factors. Each crop creates a different landscape, as well as a different effect on shading and noise reduction. This in turn influences the value of nearby housing and the regional leisure opportunities. Each crop also has positive and negative environmental impacts, such as the impact of the potential use of treated wastewater and of pesticides and fertilisers. All these factors were combined with economic considerations to suggest the optimal regional allocation of agricultural crops.

Keywords: agriculture; agricultural crops; economics; environment; open spaces; regional modelling; environmental impact; housing value; leisure preferences; regional planning; farm profits; regional allocation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2009.027193

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.11 No.1/2/3, pp.169 - 186

Published online: 17 Jul 2009 *

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